St. Louis Lions Press Release - www.stllions.com

Thursday, January 28, 2010

ST LOUIS, MO - The St. Louis Lions announced Thursday that it had entered into an agreement with UMBRO USA, a Nike Company, for the manufacturer to provide all equipment for the 2010 United Soccer Leagues Premier Development Leagues season.

“We’re very fortunate to have UMBRO USA as a partner for the upcoming season,” said Tony Glavin, President and Head Coach of the St. Louis Lions. “UMBRO equipment has consistently been of the highest quality for professional and high amateur play and we’re certainly looking forward to helping expand the UMBRO presence throughout the league.”

UMBRO, which completed its purchase of 94% of the United Soccer Leagues in 2006, was sold to Nike in 2008 for $582 million. Nike made the decision that owning a sports league did not fit into its core business and sold the USL to NuRock Holdings in September of this year. UMBRO, which provides equipment for the English Football Association and its national teams, also provides equipment for Sweden’s national team and several English Premier League teams.

Richard Nightingale, General Manager of UMBRO USA is enthusiastic about continuing the UMBRO relationship with the USL and beginning a new chapter with the St. Louis Lions. “We could not be more excited about our new partnership with the St. Louis Lions,” Nightingale said. “The opportunity to work with such a quality organization and successful club is an honor. We look forward to working with the Lions and being a part of the St. Louis community in the future.”

In addition to its relationship with UMBRO USA, the St. Louis Lions have also been in discussions with the famed Celtic FC of Glasgow, Scotland to create the club’s first youth program in the United States.

“We had a number of meetings with Celtic FC over a three week period in Glasgow,” said Glavin. “We’re encouraged by what we heard and Celtic is impressed, I believe, by the operations of the St. Louis Lions and the St. Louis Lions Academy Program. The Lions Academy program is designed for the most skilled and motivated youth soccer players to develop under the highest levels of professional coaching. The St. Louis Lions Academy Program is open to all youth soccer players regardless of club or team affiliation. Players are expected to maintain their affiliation and to use their training to help improve the play of their team, their club, and St. Louis youth soccer.

The St. Louis Lions Soccer Club has announced they will hold open tryouts on February 20th and 21st of 2010.

For more information about the Lions and the USL visit www.stllions.com or www.uslsoccer.com.